The Rapha Trail Finale Gloves are thin but tough, and they offer great feel and protection. The AX-suede palm offers excellent grip in all conditions, the build quality is excellent, and even with the tough construction they create zero restriction. They’re not cheap though, and the back of the hand sacrifices some breathability in the name of ruggedness.
Rapha Trail Finale glove – Technical Details
The business end of any glove is the palm, which here is AX suede. It’s a one-piece affair with zero seams to ensure full contact. Each finger features a series of holes on the underside for airflow, whilst the index fingertip and thumb tip have an extra layer of suede. The side of the fingers are very fine mesh for further venting.
The back of the hand is Cordura, which is a blend of nylon and elastane and pretty tough. An elasticated cuff keeps glove entry simple, whilst a small tab at the wrist helps with pulling them on. A large microfibre patch occupies each thumb for sweat wiping duties.
Rapha says these are for cool to warm conditions from 6˚C up to 26˚C, with the sweet spot being 12˚C – 18˚C. You can choose from five sizes, ranging from XS – XL, and any colour you like as long as it’s black.
Rapha Trail Finale glove – Performance
Starting with the fit, the size large on test was the recommended size based on Rapha’s size guide and it was spot on. They really do fit like a glove, with each finger and thumb being the perfect length for me. The finish inside and out is excellent as well; top quality construction with no uncomfortable seams to mention.
Out on the trails, the one-piece suede palm provides plenty of feel, being thin enough to feel everything whilst remaining tough enough to shrug off a mid-trail dismount. I’m happy to report this suede material also works with touch screens, which is handy. The back of the hand uses a thin Cordura – tough for durability – but that does sacrifice air flow and breathability a little.
The material retains some stretch, so along with the great fit, I have not felt any restriction whilst on or off the bike.
The elasticated cuff makes entry and exit easy, and I found the extra tab on the palm to be a nice touch whilst pulling on the gloves. The cuff isn’t a tight fit so it remains comfortable but even so, the gloves remain firmly in place thanks to the excellent fit.
Even in the absence of silicone gripper details the palm has plenty of purchase, and I found it easy to make adjustments to my position on the bars. Sometimes this is harder to do when a glove palm is covered in sticky silicone detail.
Throughout testing these gloves have stood up to some tough abuse. The palm has remained in great condition, and the back of the hand shrugged off thorns and other trailside detritus with impressive disregard.
Rapha Trail Finale glove – Verdict
At £45 these are a little on the pricey side. There are plenty of other thin trail gloves out there for a lot less, such as the Lizard Skins Monitor Ignite gloves at £25. They also provide excellent feel on the bar, but our tester found some durability concerns.
The Fox Racing Ranger glove is another option. At £28 they’re reasonably priced, and our review praised them for great fit and durability – although again, they don’t seem to last so well. The silicone gripper printing does wear quite easily.
The Rapha Trail Finale glove is an excellent shoulder seasons and light winter glove with a very thin yet tough construction. The fit is perfect, and the bar feel through the AX suede palm is excellent. They’re expensive and the material on the back of the hand does sacrifice some breathability in the name of toughness, but it you’re looking for a thin and very comfortable glove, these cannot be overlooked.
Test Report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
“Rapha says: “Lightweight and durable gloves to withstand the demands of trail riding. Developed with professional Trail & Enduro riders, so you can be confident in their performance when it matters most.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Rapha lists:
Lightweight & Durable – Using a lightweight Cordura material across the back of hand for superior abrasion resistance with minimal bulk
Secure Grip– An AX suede palm offers exceptional grip in all conditions, keeping you confident year-round when tackling the trails
Breathable– Mesh fourchettes and moisture wicking fabrics keep your hands from getting sweaty and uncomfortable.
How To Wear: To be worn in cool (6-12°C / 43-54°F) to warm conditions (21-26°C / 70-79°F)
Any further comments on performance?:
Tough and comfortable with great fit and feel.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
These are priced pretty high – there are plenty of great options for less money.
Any comments on sizing? Did it size up too big or too small?:
Sized exactly as expected; finger lengths were all spot on.
Any issues with durability?:
None.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?:
No issues.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This is an excellent shoulder seasons and light winter glove with a very thin yet tough construction. The fit is perfect, and bar feel is excellent. They’re a little on the pricey side not the most breathable gloves out there, but those are really the only small issues.
About the tester
Age: 32Height: 183cmWeight: 95kg
I usually ride: Mostly mountain bike along with gravel for some good milesMy best bike is: Deviate Highlander 2 (mtb) Custom Titanium (gravel)
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 yearsI ride: A few times a weekI would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: Fitness riding, Mountain bike XC, Mountain bike Enduro, Mountain bike downhill/freeride
